Tube fitting anchoring system

ABSTRACT

A tube fitting anchoring device is provided to securely anchor a catheter and fluid supply tube interconnection to a patient&#39;s skin. The anchoring device comprises a retainer which is configured to receive a tube fitting in a variety of positions. The tube fitting interconnects the catheter and the fluid supply tube. The anchoring system additionally includes a flexible, adhesive anchor pad which supports the retainer. In one embodiment, the tube fitting includes two parallel generally tubular segments interconnected by a transverse member. The retainer also includes at least two parallel channels interconnected by a transverse channel. The channels are sized to receive the generally tubular segments of the tube fitting in a snap-fit manner, with the transverse channel also receiving the transverse member of the tube fitting in a snap-fit fashion. In this manner, the retainer holds the generally tubular segments of the tube fitting within the channel and prevents longitudinal, transverse and vertical movement of the tube fitting tubular segments.

RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/223,948, filed as PCT/US94/02994 Mar. 18, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No.5,578,013, and which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/121,942, filed Sep. 15, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,671, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/034,340, filed Mar. 19,1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,282, issued Oct. 11, 1994, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/695,549, filed May 3,1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,411, issued on May 24, 1994, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/518,964, filed May 4,1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,273, issued Mar. 9, 1993, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/384,326, filed Jul. 24,1989, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a percutaneouscatheterization system, and, in particular, to a catheter anchoringsystem which securely interconnects an indwelling catheter with a tubingand securely anchors such interconnection to a patient's skin.

2. Description of Related Art

Medical treatment of patients commonly involves the use ofpercutaneously inserted catheters to direct fluids directly into thebloodstream, a specific organ or an internal location of the patient, orto monitor vital functions of the patient. For instance,intra-arteriovenous catheters are commonly used to direct fluids and/ormedication directly into the bloodstream of the patient. Epiduralcatheters are commonly used to direct anesthesia into an epidural spaceto anesthetize a specific location of the patient. Intervascularcatheters are commonly used to monitor arterial blood pressure.

The fluid (e.g., parenteral liquid, medication or anesthesia) typicallydrains from a container positioned above the patient. The fluid flowsthrough tubing and into an indwelling catheter. The catheter and fluidtubing are commonly removably attached by a conventional lure-typeconnector, such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,937.

In common practice, a health care provider, such as, for example, anurse or doctor (for ease of description, as used herein the term"nurse" will refer to health care providers generally and will not berestrictive in meaning), uses adhesive or surgical tape to maintain thecatheter in place on the skin of the patient. The connection between thetubing and the catheter is likewise maintained by use of tape.

The nurse may also form a safety loop in the tubing so that any tensionapplied to the tubing does not directly pass to the catheter cannula,but rather is absorbed by the slack of the safety loop. The nursetypically loosely tapes the loop to the skin of the patient.

This entire taping procedure takes several minutes of the valuable timeof the health care provider. Furthermore, nurses commonly remove theirgloves when taping because most nurses find such taping proceduresdifficult and cumbersome when wearing gloves.

The catheterization process often requires frequent disconnectionbetween the catheter and the fluid supply tube. For instance,intravenous catheterization is frequently maintained for several days,depending upon the condition of the patient. The catheter tubing isgenerally replaced every 24 to 48 hours in order to maintain thesterility of the fluid and the free-flow of the fluid through thetubing. A nurse must thus frequently change the tubing and retape theconnection. Moreover, the tape, which secures the catheter to the skinof the patient, often covers the cannula insertion point. The nurse mustremove the tape to inspect the insertion point for inflammation orinfection, and must then repeat the above-described taping procedure.

A great deal of valuable time is thus used in applying significantamounts of surgical tape to indwelling catheters. The frequentapplication and removal of surgical tape also commonly results in theexcoriation of the skin of the patient in the area of the insertion.

A number of catheterization systems have recently been developed whichimprove the stabilization of the catheter system and obviate the needfor frequent application and removal of surgical tape. One such systemis disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,273 issued to the present Applicant,which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The '273 patent discloses an adaptor which interconnects the catheterwith a fluid supply tubing. The adaptor snaps into a base attached tothe patient's skin by an adhesive pad. Specifically, a nurse presses theadaptor between upstanding legs of the base. Detents on the adaptor legsslide into corresponding annular grooves in the adaptor body to hold theadaptor to the base.

Although the base holds the adaptor securely in place, a nurse may havedifficulty positioning and aligning the annular grooves of the adaptorwith the detents on the base. Exigent circumstances may furtherexacerbate the difficulties associated with properly positioning theadaptor onto the base. Some nurses and other health care providers mayalso have trouble determining how to engage the catheter adaptor withthe base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The catheter anchoring system of the present invention provides anadaptor retainer which is not position or technique sensitive. That is,the nurse simply locates the catheter adaptor generally above theretainer, and presses the adaptor into the retainer. Engagement requiresonly coarse alignment of the adaptor with the retainer.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theretainer comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal walls. Each walldefines a series of slots which are laterally aligned with the opposingslots of the opposite side wall. Each slot is sized such that a portionof the catheter adaptor (e.g., a support arm or an annular collar orflange) inserts into at least one slot. So positioned, the adaptor isprevented from moving in a direction generally parallel to alongitudinal direction of the retainer.

The central channel is generally U-shaped and is formed by the arcuateshape of the walls. The channel axis lies, in a vertical plane,generally parallel to the retainer longitudinal axis. The channel isinterposed between the opposing longitudinal walls and has a truncatedcircular cross-sectional shape. The central channel, in cross-section,extends through an arc, which is greater than 180° about the channelaxis, such that with the adaptor body positioned within the channel, thelongitudinal walls prevent the adaptor from moving either in a lateraldirection or in a transverse direction (which are normal to thelongitudinal axis of the retainer).

The channel axis and its bottom surface is preferably positioned obliqueto the horizontal at an angle substantially equal to an incident angleof the indwelling catheter. This incident angle preferably rangesbetween 0° and 30°.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a catheteranchoring system is provided to securely retain a catheter adaptor(which interconnects a catheter and a tubing) on the skin of thepatient. The anchoring system comprises a base having a rail extendingin a longitudinal direction, and a retainer configured to receive andretain the catheter adaptor. The retainer comprises a groove configuredto receive the rail in a manner enabling the retainer to slide over thebase. The anchoring system further comprises an interlocking elementwhich prevents the retainer from sliding over the base with the retainerholding the catheter adaptor.

The interlocking element preferably comprises a plurality of teeth and apawl. The pawl engages the teeth with the retainer holding the adaptor.The pawl desirably extends from a flexible finger which the adaptordeflects when positioned within the retainer.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a catheteranchoring system comprises a catheter adaptor, a retainer and a base padwhich adheres to the skin of a patient and supports the retainer. Thecatheter adaptor comprises a tubular body connected to a radiallyextending support arm. The support arm in turn connects to a clip whichpivots relative to the tubular body.

The retainer comprises a pair of opposing longitudinal walls. Each walldefines a series of slots. Each slot is sized such that a portion of thesupport arm of the catheter adaptor extends through the slot. The slotprevents the support arm from moving in a direction generally parallelto a longitudinal direction of the retainer.

The retainer further comprises a central channel which extends throughthe retainer about an axis which is generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis. The channel is interposed between the opposinglongitudinal walls and has a truncated circular cross-sectional shape.The central channel, in cross-section, is sized to encompass the tubularbody through an angle greater than about 180°.

The anchoring system may additionally comprise a tube clip configured toreceive a portion of the tube. The anchoring system may also comprise anS-clip having a plurality of retainers to secure a microbore tubingconnected to the tube by the adaptor.

In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring system additionally comprises abase having a rail that extends in the longitudinal direction. Theretainer includes a corresponding shaped groove configured to receivethe rail. The retainer slides over the base with the rail positionedwithin the groove.

The anchoring system may also comprise an interlocking element whichprevents the retainer from sliding over the base with the retainerholding the adaptor. The interlocking element desirably comprises aseries of teeth and a pawl.

In accordance with a preferred method of anchoring a catheter to apatient, a base is positioned proximate to an indwelling catheter. Aretainer is slid over the base to locate the retainer in a desiredposition relative to the indwelling catheter. An adaptor is insertedinto the retainer to prevent the adaptor from moving relative to theretainer, and the retainer and base are interlocked to prevent theadaptor from moving relative to the indwelling catheter.

In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor deflects a cantilevered finger asit is inserted into the retainer. The deflection of the finger in turncauses a pawl to engage a series of teeth. The interengagement betweenthe teeth and pawl prevent the retainer from sliding over the base. Withthe adaptor removed from the retainer, the retainer freely slides overthe base.

The method desirably further includes the steps of attaching thecatheter adaptor to the indwelling catheter. The distal end of theadaptor is inserted into the proximal end of the catheter hub which isthen engaged by a clip slidably mounted on the adaptor. The clip is slidproximally on the adaptor to grasp the catheter hub. With the clip sopositioned, the clip is locked in place to secure the engagement withthe catheter hub.

An additional aspect of the present invention provides a catheteranchoring system for securing an indwelling catheter within a body lumenof a patient and for securely interconnecting the indwelling catheterwith a tube. The catheter anchoring system comprises a catheter adapterhaving a generally tubular body defined between distal and proximalends. The distal end is configured to engage the catheter proximal endand the proximal end is configured to couple to a distal end of thesupply tube. The catheter adapter additionally comprises a radiallyextending member which projects from an exterior surface of the tubularbody in a radial direction.

A retainer of the catheter anchoring system comprises a longitudinalchannel configured to receive the tubular body of the adapter in a snapfit manner. The retainer additionally comprises a plurality of lateralslots which are sized to receive and to capture the radially extendingmember of the adapter with the adapter positioned within the channel.The retainer prevents the adapter from sliding in a longitudinaldirection when one of the slots receives the radially extending member.

In a preferred embodiment, the radially extending member comprises asupport arm which connects a clip to the tubular body. In an alternativepreferred embodiment, the radially extending member comprises an annularcollar which circumscribes the tubular body.

An additional aspect of the present invention provides a catheteranchoring system comprising an anchor pad. The anchor pad has a laminatestructure formed by a cellulose foam layer an adhesive layer. The anchorpad preferably has a roughened or porous upper surface to facilitateattachment of the retainer or tube clip by an adhesive. A woven fiber(e.g., paper) may be attached to the foam to form the upper layer.Alternatively, the top surface of the foam layer may be corona treatedto form the upper surface.

The anchor pad generally has a trapezoidal shape defined by paralleldistal and proximal edges. The distal edge has a length longer than theproximal edge. A notch extends into the anchor pad from the distal edgeand has a sufficient size such that a health care provider can visuallyinspect the catheter cannula with an anchor pad positioned about thecatheter.

The anchor pad may preferably include indicia (e.g., arrow, figure,words, etc.) which identify the desired direction of orientation of theanchor pad with respect to the indwelling catheter. The anchor padpreferably has rounded corners and the longitudinal side edges haveconcave configurations. The anchor pad desirably supports a retainerwhich receives a catheter adapter. The retainer is preferably alignedwith the notch of the anchor pad.

In accordance with a preferred method of anchoring an indwellingcatheter/tube interconnection to a patient, an adapter is providedhaving a generally tubular body with a radially extending member. Ananchor pad is also provided with an adhesive back. The anchor padsupports a retainer configured to receive the adapter and has a seriesof lateral slots. The anchor pad is attached to the patient's skinproximate to an indwelling catheter. The radially extending member ofthe adapter is positioned above the series of slots. The retainer isdeflected so as to open the channel to a size sufficient to receive theadapter, and the adapter is inserted into the channel. The radiallyextending member is inserted into one of the slots. The retainer is thenpermitted to spring back to an undeflected position such that thetubular body is captured within the retainer.

Another method of the present invention comprises the steps of providingan anchor pad which supports the retainer. The retainer is configured toreceive a catheter adapter. The anchor pad has a trapezoidal shapeformed by a longer distal edge and a shorter proximal edge. The anchorpad further includes an adhesive backing. The anchor pad is positionedover the patient's skin such that the shorter proximal side is generallyadjacent to the indwelling catheter. The anchor pad is adhered to thepatient's skin.

An additional aspect of the invention involves an anchoring system for acatheter. The anchoring system includes an adaptor which has a generallytubular body with a distal end. The distal end of the adaptor isconfigured to engage a proximal end of the catheter. The distal end alsoincludes a lure-lock connector which is adapted to engage acorresponding lure-lock connector of the catheter proximal end. Theadaptor additionally includes a radially extending member which projectsfrom an exterior surface of the adaptor body in a radial direction andat a point which is distanced from the lure-lock connector of theadaptor distal end.

The anchoring system also includes a retainer. The retainer includes achannel that is configured to receive the body of the adaptor. Theretainer also includes a plurality of longitudinal slots. Each slot issized to receive and to capture the radially extending member of theadaptor with the adaptor positioned within the channel of the retainer.In this manner, the adaptor is prevented from sliding within theretainer channel.

In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, ananchoring device is provided for securing a tube fitting to a patient.The tube fitting includes at least first and second generally tubularsegments interconnected by a transverse member. The anchoring devicecomprises a retainer which includes at least first and second channels.Each channel is formed at least in part by two arcuate walls, at leastone of which deflects to receive one of the generally tubular segmentsof the tube fitting when inserted into the corresponding channel. Thedeflected wall is configured to return to its undeflected state and tohold the generally tubular segment of the tube fitting in thecorresponding channel. The retainer also includes a transverse channelwhich intersects and extends through one of the walls of each channel.The transverse channel is configured to receive the transverse member ofthe tube fitting with the first and second channels of the retainerreceiving the first and second generally tubular segments of the tubefitting.

An additional aspect of the present invention involves an anchoringdevice for securing a tube fitting to a patient, where the tube fittingincludes at least first and second generally tubular segmentsinterconnected by a transverse member. The anchoring system comprises aretainer which includes at least first and second channels. Each channelis configured to receive one of the generally tubular segments. Atransverse channel intersects and extends through a wall of eachchannel. The transverse channel is configured to receive the transversemember of the tube fitting in a snap-fit manner with the first andsecond channels receiving the first and second generally tubularsegments of the tube fitting.

Another aspect of the present invention involves an anchoring device forsecuring a tube fitting to a patient. The anchoring device comprises aflexible anchor pad having a medial segment extending between ends andat least one pseudopod (i.e., a movable extremity of the anchor pad)which is connected to the medial segment at one of the ends. Thepseudopod comprises an arm which extends from the end of the medialsegment. The arm has a proximal end connected to the medial segment anda distal end positioned distal from the medial segment. The proximal endis narrower than the distal end. At least the distal end of thepseudopod includes an adhesive bottom surface to attach the anchor padto the patient's skin.

A method of anchoring medical tube fitting in accordance with an aspectof the present invention involves providing a retainer which receives aportion of the tube fitting. The tube fitting includes at least firstand second generally tubular segments which are interconnected by atransverse member. In order to receive the tube fitting, the retainercomprises a transverse channel, which is configured to receive thetransverse member, and two parallel channels, each of which isconfigured to receive one of the generally tubular segments of the tubefitting in a snap-fit manner. A flexible anchor pad also is provided.The anchor pad is attached to the retainer and comprises an adhesivebottom surface that is adapted to attach to a patient's skin. The anchorpad is adhered to a patient's skin proximate to an indwelling catheter.The catheter includes a proximal end. The proximal end of the catheteris connected to the tube fitting, which is then inserted into theretainer. Specifically, the first generally tubular segment of the tubefitting is inserted into one of the retainer parallel channels until thetubular segment seats within the channel. The second generally tubularsegment of the tube fitting thereafter is inserted into another parallelchannel of the retainer. This is done while simultaneously inserting thetransverse member into the transverse channel until the transversemember snaps into the transverse channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will now be described withreference to the drawings of preferred embodiments which are intended toillustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a catheter anchoring system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mountedon the back of a patient's hand;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the catheter anchoring system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a retainer of the catheter anchoring systemof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a front elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4b is a rear elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a catheter anchoring system in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7a is a front elevational view of a retainer and rail assembly ofthe catheter anchoring system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7b is a side elevational view of the retainer and rail assembly ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer and rail assembly takenalong line 8--8 of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a catheter anchoring system in accordancewith an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an S-clip of the catheteranchoring system of FIG. 9 taken along line 10--10;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a catheter anchoring system inaccordance with an additional preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the catheter anchoring system of FIG. 11illustrating an adaptor held by a retainer;

FIG. 13a is a side elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13b is a top plan view of the retainer of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of a catheter adaptor which may be used with the anchoringsystem of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is an exploded top perspective view of an anchoring system inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a retainer of the anchoring system of FIG.15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer of FIG. 16 taken alonglines 17--17;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer of FIG. 17 taken alonglines 18--18;

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an anchor padused with the anchoring system of FIG. 15, the view opposite that shownin FIG. 19 is identical to that shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the assembled anchoring system shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22--22 of FIG. 20;and

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the assembled anchoring system ofFIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view a catheter anchoring system 10 inaccordance with the present invention. The anchoring system 10 securelyconnects a tube 12 (e.g., a fluid supply tube) to an indwelling catheter14 and maintains the catheter 14 in the desired indwelling position. Theanchoring system 10 is designed for rapid attachment to the catheter 14and to the patient, without requiring precise alignment or positioningof the components of the anchoring system 10.

Moreover, sturdy anchoring of the catheterization system is achievedwithout the use of surgical tape. For most catheterization, theanchoring system is attached to the patient only once. Although thefluid supply tubing 12 may be replaced every 24 to 48 hours forintravenous catheterization, the components of the anchoring system 10attached to the patient remains in place. Thus, surgical tape need notbe applied and removed from the patient's skin on multiple occasions.

The catheter anchoring system 10 principally comprises a flexible pad 16having an adhesive bottom side 18 which attaches to the skin of apatient when used. The pad 16 supports a retainer 20. The retainer 20 isconfigured to receive and secure in place a catheter adaptor 22 whichinterconnects the hub 30 of an indwelling catheter 14 and the fluidsupply tube 12 connected to a fluid supply container (not shown). Thecontainer maintains the fluid to be dispensed to the patient which isfed either by gravity or by pressure. A clamp (not shown) may be used toregulate the fluid flow through the tubing 12. The pad 16 may alsosupport a tubing clip 24 which is used to retain a portion of tubing 12.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the catheter anchoring system located on theback of a patient's hand (illustrated in phantom lines), it iscontemplated that the present invention may be used for catheterizationin other locations on the patient's body. For instance, the anchoringsystem may be used on the medial side of the wrist in connection with aradial artery. The anchoring system 10 may also be used for epiduralcatheterization, as discussed in detail below, and thus located on theanterior or posterior of the patient's torso.

FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a lateralaxis in relation to the catheter anchoring system 10 to facilitate thefollowing description. Additionally, as used herein, "the longitudinaldirection" refers to a direction substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis. "The lateral direction" and "the transversedirection" are in reference to the lateral axis and transverse axis,respectively. Also, "proximal" and "distal" are in reference to theproximity of the fluid supply container attached to the tube 12 (seeFIG. 1). The individual components of the catheter anchoring system 10will now be described in detail.

Catheter Adaptor

FIG. 1 illustrates the catheter adaptor 22 interconnected with acatheter 14. FIG. 2 illustrates the catheter adaptor 22 disconnectedfrom catheter 14. Although these figures illustrate the adaptor 22 asthe type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,273, it is contemplated thatother types of adaptors can be used as well with the present catheteranchoring system 10. For instance, the catheter adaptor 22 could be alure-type adaptor, such as the type illustrated by FIG. 11 and describedbelow, or a lure-lock type catheter adaptor 22, such as the typeillustrated by FIG. 14 and described below. It is contemplated thatthose skilled in the art could readily select the type of catheteradaptor 22 to be used with the present catheter anchoring system 10depending on the particular application (e.g., venous, arterial,epidural, peripheral, etc.) of the anchoring system 10.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the adaptor 22 comprises a tubular body 25defined between a distal end 26 and a proximal end 28. The proximal end28 is adapted to receive a distal end of the tube 12. In an exemplaryembodiment, at least a portion the fluid supply tube is permanentlyattached to the body proximal end 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the proximalend of the tubing may then include a standard lure-type connector 29 toconnect into a fluid supply line 12.

The distal end 26 is configured to engage the proximal hub 30 of thecatheter 14 (see FIG. 1) or any lure-type connector. Although FIG. 2illustrates the distal end of the adaptor 22 as having a frusto-conicalshape configured to engage a standard lure-type catheter hub 30, it iscontemplated that the distal end 26 could be configured as well toengage other types of catheter connectors, such as, for example, aToughy-Bourst adaptor.

A support arm 32 extends outwardly from the tubular body 25 incantilever fashion. The support arm 32 supports, on a radially outer endof the arm 32, a clip support element (not shown) that extends generallyparallel to and is spaced from a longitudinal axis of the tubular body25.

FIG. 2 further illustrates a clip 34 of the catheter adaptor. The clip34 attaches to and slides over the clip support element in thelongitudinal direction. The clip 34 includes a distal latch 36 which hasa generally forked shape to engage a outer surface of the catheter hub30 distal of a hub collar 38 (see FIG. 1) to securely attach the adaptor22 to the catheter hub 30.

Interengaging structure (not shown) between the clip support element andthe clip 34 permits the clip 34 to slide in the proximal direction, butprevents the clip 34 from sliding in the distal direction. Theinterengaging element desirably comprises a series of ratchet teeth (notshown) disposed up on upper surface of the clip support element and apawl (not shown) connected to the clip 34. The pawl extends from theclip 34 in a cantilever fashion and engages the ratchet teeth to preventdistal movement of the clip, as discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,193,273, which has been incorporated by reference.

The tubular body 25, the support arm 32 and the clip support element arepreferably integrally formed of molded plastic, such as, for example, aclear polycarbonate, so as to be generally stiff, but somewhat flexible.The support arm 32 desirably has enough elasticity to bend. Depressingthe proximal end of the clip 34 towards the tubular body 25 moves thelatch 36 of the clip 34 away from the tubular body 25. In this manner,the clip 34 pivots about the tubular body 25.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the clip support element desirablycomprises a protuberance 40 positioned on an inner surface 42 of theclip support element, proximate to the proximal end of the clip 34. Theprotuberance is spaced from the support arm by a distance L. Theprotuberance 40 prevents the clip 34 from pivoting when secured by theretainer 20, as discussed below in detail. The protuberance 40 alsolimits the degree of deflection of the support arm 32 to reduce fatigue,as fully explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,273, which has beenincorporated by reference.

Retainer for Catheter Adaptor

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate the retainer 20. The retainer 20 has agenerally parallelepiped shape defining a central channel 44 interposedbetween a pair of opposing longitudinal walls 46. The central channel 44extends through the retainer 20 along an axis which is generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the retainer.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the central channel 44 has a generally circularcross-sectional shape which is truncated at a upper end to form agenerally U-shaped channel having an upper opening 47. The centralchannel 44 has a diameter sized to receive the tubular body 25 of thecatheter adaptor 22. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of thecentral channel 44 generally matches that of the tubular body 25 or isslightly larger.

In cross-section, the central channel 44 extends through an arc greaterthan 180° about the channel axis such that the transverse length of theopening 47 is less than the diameter of the central channel 44. In anexemplary embodiment, the central channel 44 extends through an arc ofabout 200° about the channel axis.

FIG. 5 illustrates the channel axis which is desirably skewed relativeto a base surface 48 of the retainer 20. An incident angle θ formedbetween the base surface 48 and the channel axis is less than 45°. Theincident angle θ desirably ranges between 0° and 30°. In an exemplaryembodiment for intravenous use, the angle θ preferably equalsapproximately 7°. In another exemplary embodiment for arterial use, theincident angle θ preferably equals about 22°. In a further exemplaryembodiment, for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), theincident angle θ preferably equals 0°.

The longitudinal walls 46 are substantially identical. Each wall 46 hasa thickness measured in the lateral direction less than the length ofthe support arm 32. The wall 46 is thus interposed between the tubularbody 25 and the clip 34 when the tubular body 25 is inserted into thecentral channel 44. The length of each wall 46, measured in thelongitudinal direction, is preferably coextensive with the length of theretainer 20.

Each wall 46 comprises a uniform series of slots 50. The seriescomprises at least two (2) slots 50, and not more than twenty (20) slots50. More preferably, the series comprises less than seven (7) slots 50.In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in the figures of theapplication, the series comprises four (4) slots 50.

Each slot 50 is sized to receive the support arm 32 of the catheteradaptor 22 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the adaptor 22, asdiscussed in detail below. Each slot 50 desirably has a rectangularshape. As seen in FIG. 3, the slots 50 extend from an exterior surface52 through the wall 44, and open into the central channel 44. The widthof each slot 50 (measured longitudinally) is desirably slightly greaterthan the width of the support arm 32, measured in the longitudinaldirection to receive the support arm 32, as discussed below.

As illustrated by FIG. 5, each slot 50 has a height as measured in thetransverse direction between an upper edge 54 of the longitudinal wall46 and the bottom 56 of the central channel 44. The height of the slot50 desirably equals approximately the width of the support arm 32 suchthat the support arm 32 does not protrude from the retainer 20 in thetransverse direction.

The spacing S between the slots 50, on center, desirably equals abouthalf the distance L (see FIG. 2) between the support arm 32 and theprotuberance 40 of the catheter adaptor 22.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, a distance X between the most distal slot 50 andthe distal end of the retainer 20 is less than the longitudinal distanceY (see FIG. 2) between the support arm 32 and the latch 36 positioned inits most proximal position. This spacing enables the support arm 32 torest in the most distal slot 50 with the latch 36 retaining a catheterhub 30 distal of the retainer distal end.

FIG. 5 illustrates the upper edge 50 of the longitudinal wall 46 whichcomprises a series of chamfers 58, each of which slopes into a slot 50.That is, the portion of upper edge 50 of the longitudinal wall 46 whichsurrounds a slot 50 includes a pair of chamfers 58, with one chamfer 58located on either side of the slot 50. The chamfers 58 slope downwardtoward the slot 50 to facilitate the insertion of the support arm 32 ofthe catheter adaptor 22 into the slot 50, as discussed below.

As shown by FIGS. 3 and 5, each longitudinal wall 46 further comprises arelief 60 disposed on the proximal end of the retainer 20. The relief 60is sized to receive the protuberance 40 of the adaptor 22. The depth ofthe relief 60 measured in the lateral direction desirably is slightlygreater than the height of the protuberance 40 (i.e., the distance bywhich the protuberance protrudes from the inner surface 42).

The relief 60 is spaced in the longitudinal direction from the mostproximal slot 50 by a distance approximately equal to the spacing Sbetween the slots 50. Thus, the protuberance 40 rests in the relief 60with the support arm 32 positioned in either of the two most proximalslots 50, as discussed in detail below.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a key-way groove 62 of the retainer 20. Thekey-way groove 62 facilitates the removal of the catheter adaptor 22from the retainer 20, as discussed below in detail. The key-way groove62 lies at the proximal end of the retainer 20. The key-way groove 62extends into the retainer 20, and toward the retainer base surface 48from the bottom surface 56 of the central channel 44. The key-way groove62 has a transverse width less than the diameter of the central channel44, and more preferably has a width approximately equal to two-thirdsthe diameter of the central channel 44. The longitudinal length of thekey-way groove 62 desirably equals approximately the longitudinal lengthof the recesses 60 in the longitudinal walls 46.

The retainer 20 is made of relatively stiff plastic material (e.g.,polycarbonate), but is somewhat flexible such that the adaptor 22 forcesthe upper edges 54 of the longitudinal walls 46 outwardly when a nursepresses the adaptor 24 into the central channel 44 of the retainer 20.When the adaptor 22 sits in the central channel 44, the upper edges 54of the walls 46 snap inwardly to their original position to securelyhold the adaptor 22 within the retainer 20.

An adhesive attaches the retainer 20 to base pad 16. Alternatively, theretainer 20 may be attached to the base pad 16 by like means (e.g.,embedding or otherwise weaving the retainer 20 into the base pad 16) aswell.

Base Pad

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the flexible base pad 16 comprises a laminatestructure comprising an upper paper or other woven or non-woven clothlayer 64, an inner cellulose foam layer 66, and the bottom adhesivelayer 18. Alternative, the flexible base pad 16 may comprise an adhesivebottom layer and an upper cellulose foam layer. An upper surface of thefoam layer is roughened by corona treating the foam with a low electriccharge, as known in the art. The roughened or porous upper surface ofthe base pad 16 improves cyano-acrylate (or other types of adhesive)adhesion when attaching the retainer 20 to the pad 16.

A removable paper or plastic backing (not shown) desirably covers thebottom adhesive layer 18 before use. The backing preferably resiststearing and is divided into a plurality of pieces to ease attachment ofthe pad 16 to the patient's skin, as explained below. Desirably, thebacking is split along the center line of the flexible base pad 16 inorder to expose only half of the adhesive bottom surface 18 at one time.The backing also advantageously extends beyond at least one edge of thebase pad 16 to ease removal of the backing from the adhesive layer 18.

As seen in FIG. 2, one or more tabs 67 may be attached to a portion ofthe backing which extends beyond the flexible base pad 16. In anexemplary embodiment, the tabs 67 have the same laminate structure asthe flexible base pad 16. The tabs 67 also can be formed by the paperbacking extending beyond the edge of the base pad 16. The tab 67 mayalso include indicia 69 in the form of dots, words, figures or the liketo indicate the placement of fingers when removing the backing from thebase pad 16.

A nurse grips the tab 67, preferably at the location of the indicia 69,and peels the backing off one half of the bottom adhesive layer 18. Thenurse then places the bottom layer 18 against the patient's skin toadhere the base pad 16 to the patient. Light pressure over the upperlayer 64 assures good adhesion between the base pad 16 and the patient'sskin. The base pad 16, due to its flexibility, conforms to the contoursof the topical surface to which the base pad 16 adheres. The nurse thenrepeats this procedure for the other half of the pad 16. Alternatively,the nurse may completely remove the backing from the pad 16 beforeattaching the pad 16 to the patient's skin.

The base pad 16 desirably comprises a notch 68 positioned distal of thelocation of the retainer 20 on the pad 16 and adjacent to the point ofinsertion of the catheter cannula. The notch 68 is sized to permitvisual inspection of the catheterized site.

As seen in FIG. 2, the base pad 16 desirably may comprise indicia 70 inthe form of an arrow which indicates the proper orientation of the basepad 16 in reference to catheterized site. Although the figuresillustrate the indicia in the form of an arrow, it is contemplated thatother forms of indicia, such as, for example, words or other graphics,could be used as well. In proper use, as illustrated in FIG. 1, theindicia 70 should point in the proximal direction, towards theindwelling catheter 14, or otherwise indicate the proper location of thepad 16 in reference to the indwelling catheter 14.

In an exemplary embodiment, the laminate structure of the base pad ispreferably formed by rolling a paper tape, such as a micro-porous rayontape, available commercially as MICRO-PORE tape from 3M (Item No. 1530),over a medical grade polyvinyl chloride foam tape, such as thatavailable commercially from 3M (Item No. 9777L). The foam tapepreferably includes the bottom liner or backing. The base pad 16 and thetabs 67 are then stamped out of the laminated sheet of foam and paper.The backing between the tabs and the base pad, however, is desirably notsevered such that the tabs 67 remain attached to the backing coveringthe adhesive section 18 of the base pad 16. The backing is then cut intotwo pieces along the center line of the pad 16 and between the tabs 67.

Tube Clip

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the tube clip 24. The clip 24 secures the fluidsupply tube 12 to form a safety loop, as known in the art.

The tube clip has a plate-like base 72 adhered to or embedded in thebase pad 16. The tube clip 24 may be located on the base pad 16 oneither side of the retainer 20 to accommodate left hand or right handmounting. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the anchoring system 10 may furtherinclude a second tube clip 24 located on the other side of the retainer20 from the first tube clip 24.

The clip 24 defines a channel 74 having a generally circularcross-sectional configuration truncated to form an upper orifice 76. Thediameter of the channel 74 is desirably slightly less than that of thefluid supply tube 12 so as to ensure a secure interconnection. Thechannel 74 receives a portion of the fluid supply tube 12 through theorifice 76 upon application of gentle pressure or by pulling the tubing12 across and through the orifice 76 of the tube clip 24, as explainedbelow. The clip 24 surrounds a substantial portion of the tubing 12 withthe tubing 12 positioned within the channel 74.

As seen in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the channel includes tapered ends77 at the proximal and distal ends of the clip 24. Each tapered end 77forms a smooth transition between the side edge of the channel 74 andthe upper edge, and tapers in lateral width from the side edge towardthe center of the tube clip 24. The tapered ends 77 help guide the fluidsupply tube 12 into the channel 74 when a nurse pulls the tube acrossthe clip 24. Thus, the nurse does not have to pinch the tube 12 toinsert it into the clip 24. Also, the nurse's gloves do not get stuck inthe clip 24 when inserting the tube 12, as is typically the case wherethe nurse is required to pinch the tube 12 to insert it into the clip24.

Slide Clamp

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the catheter anchoring system 10desirably additionally includes a slide clamp 78 to regulate fluid flowthrough the tubing, as known in the art. The clamp 78, at one end,includes an aperture 80 which receives the fluid supply tube 12, and, atthe opposite end, includes a tab 82. The clamp 78 has a generally forkedshape formed by a pair of prongs 84 which defines the aperture 80. Thetube 12 snaps between the prongs 84 and into the aperture 80, which hasa diameter slightly larger that the fluid supply tube 12.

The prongs 84 converge together in the direction towards the tab 82 toform a tapering slot 86 which opens into the aperture 80. The prongs 84pinch the tube 12 closed with the tube 12 positioned in the slot 86 soas to block fluid flow therethrough. The clamp 78, however, slides overthe tube 12 with the tube 12 positioned through the aperture 80.

The tab 82 desirably has a rectangular shape which generally correspondsto the shape of the key-way groove 62 of the retainer 20. The tab 82preferably has a thickness greater than that of the distal end ofkey-way groove 62, measured in the transverse direction, so as to prythe adaptor 22 from the retainer 20. As explained in detail below, thetab 82 may be used to remove the catheter adaptor 22 from the retainer20.

Retainer Location Adjustment Mechanism

FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate a catheter anchoring system 10a inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.Where appropriate, like numbers with an "a" suffix have been used toindicate like parts of the two embodiments for ease of understanding.

The catheter anchoring system 10a is substantially identical to theabove-described anchoring system 10, with the addition of a retainerlocation adjustment mechanism 90.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the location adjustment mechanism 90 comprises abase 92 and interlocking mechanism 94 which interconnects the base 92and the retainer 20a. The retainer 20a slides over the base 92 and theinterlocking mechanism 94 secures the retainer 20a to the base 92 atvarious longitudinal positions. The adjustment mechanism thus allows forprecise positioning of the retainer 20 relative to the catheter 14 afterthe pad 16 is attached to the patient's skin.

The base 92 has a generally parallelepiped shape and comprises a rail96. FIG. 7a best illustrates that the rail 96 desirably has a"dove-tail" configuration in cross section. That is, the rail 96 has across-sectional shape with a flat upper edge 98 and a pair of opposingside edges 100, each edge 100 being angled inward from the upper edge 98toward the middle of the rail 96. The rail 96 extends along thelongitudinal length of the base 92 from the distal end 102 of the base92 to a point just short of the base proximal end 104. The base 92includes a pair of stops 106 at the proximal end 104 which close off theproximal end of the rail 96.

An adhesive attaches the base 92 to base pad 16a. Alternatively, thebase 92 may be attached to the base pad 16a by like means (e.g.,embedding or otherwise weaving the base 92 into the base pad 16a) aswell.

The retainer 20a, configured in accordance with the above-description,additionally comprises a groove 108 having a cross-sectional shapecorresponding to that of the rail 96. The retainer groove 108 receivesthe base rail 96 in a manner permitting the retainer 20a to slide overthe base 92, but preventing the retainer 20a from moving in thetransverse direction away from the base 92. The base stops 106 alsolimit the retainer's longitudinal travel in a proximal direction.

The interlocking mechanism 94 comprises a plurality of teeth 110disposed on an upper surface 112 of the base 92, and a pawl 114connected to the retainer 20a. The teeth 110 desirably have generallyrectangular cross-sectional shapes, and lie in seriatim along thelongitudinal axis of the base 92. The upper edge of each tooth 110includes a chamfer 112 to facilitate the engagement of the pawl 114 witha hollow 116 formed between adjacent teeth 110, as discussed below. Thelongitudinal length of each tooth 110 desirably extends generally normalto the longitudinal axis of the base 92.

The pawl 114 has a shape configured to insert into and engage with thehollow 116 defined between the teeth 110. The pawl 114 preferably has awidth, measured in the longitudinal direction, slightly less than thatof the hollow 116.

The retainer 20a comprises an aperture 118 extending between theretainer base surface 48a and the channel bottom surface 56a. A flexiblefinger 120 extends from the retainer 20a in a cantilever fashion andinto the retainer aperture 118. The flexible finger 120 supports thepawl 114 at its distal end. Although FIG. 8 illustrates the finger 120as extending in the distal direction, it is contemplated that the finger120 can alternatively extend in the proximal direction as well.

The flexible finger 120 preferably comprises a protuberance 122 whichextends upwardly beyond the channel bottom surface 56a and into thecentral channel 44a with the finger 120 in an undeflected state. Thecantilever nature of the finger 120 enables the finger 120 to deflectdownward so that the protuberance 122 lies below the retainer bottomsurface 56a. With the finger 120 so deflected, the pawl 114 engages theseries of teeth 110. That is, the pawl 114 inserts into a hollow 116defined between the teeth 110. The interengagement between pawl 114 andthe teeth 110 prevents the retainer 20a from sliding over the base 92.

S-Clip

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a catheter anchoring system 10b in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention. Where appropriate,like numbers with an "b" suffix have been used to indicate like parts ofthe embodiments for ease of understanding.

The catheter anchoring system 10b is substantially identical to theanchoring system 10 first described above, with the addition of anS-clip 124 to retain a microbore or small bore tubing 126. The microboretubing is commonly used, for example, with epidural catheterizationprocedures, as discussed in detail below.

The S-clip 124 comprises a generally U-shaped channel 128 defined by apair of arcuate, upstanding walls 130 extending from a base plate 132.As best seen in FIG. 10, the S-clip 124 further comprises a plurality ofretainers 134, each retainer 134 having a spherical head 136 support bya cylindrical stem 138. The stems 138 extend from the base plate 132.The retainer stems 138 are positioned from one another and from theupstanding walls 130 by a distance slightly greater than the diameter ofthe microbore tubing 126. The retainers 134 are also positioned suchthat the spherical heads 136 of the retainers 134 are positioned fromone another and from the upstanding walls 130 by a distance slightlyless than the microbore tubing 126. As best seen in FIG. 10, theretainer heads 136 prevent the microbore tubing 126 from disengagingfrom the S-clip 124 in the transverse direction once the microboretubing 126 is snaked between the retainers 134 and the upstanding walls130.

An adhesive attaches the base plate 132 of the S-clip 124 to base pad16b. Alternatively, the base plate 132 may be attached to the base pad16b by like means (e.g., embedding or otherwise weaving the base plate132 into the base pad 16b) as well.

The components of the anchoring system 10, save the base pad 16 (i.e.,the retainer 20, tube clip 24, adaptor 22, slide clamp 78, base 92 andS-clip 124), may be constructed in any of a variety of ways which willbe well known to one of skill in the art. For instance, each individualcomponent may be integrally molded such as by injection molding or bythermoplasty. The components preferably comprise a durably, flexiblematerial, and more preferably comprise a generally inert, non-toxicmaterial. In a preferred embodiment, the components are molded ofplastic, such as, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride,polypropylene, polyurethane, tetrafluoroethylene (e.g., TEFLON®),polytetrafluoroethylene (a.k.a., PTEF), acetal resin (e.g., DELRIN®),chlorotrifluoroethylene (e.g., KEL-F®), nylon or like polymers.

Method of Use

The following discussion of the method of use will be with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, and initially will be in the context of intravenouscatheterization. As the following discussion will illustrate, however,it is understood that the anchoring system 10 can be used in othercatheterization procedures as well. The discussion of the method of useis intended to augment the above description of the invention, and,thus, should be read together.

A nurse typically begins the catheterization process by positioning thecatheter 14 at a desired location above a vein. The nurse introduces aneedle or other stylus through a cannula portion of the catheter 14 andinto the skin of the patient at a desired angle of incident. Forintravenous use, the catheter 14 commonly has an incident angle ofapproximately 7°. The nurse then inserts the cannula of the catheter 14into the patient and withdraws the needle or stylus. The catheter hub 30remains exposed above the skin.

The nurse inserts the distal end of the adaptor 26 into the catheter hub30. The clip 34 has been slidably mounted in a most distal position sothat it does not interfere with the insertion of the adaptor distal end26 into the catheter hub 30.

The nurse then slides the clip 34 in a proximal direction to engage thecatheter hub 30. In this manually selected position, the clip 34securely attaches the adaptor 22 to the catheter 14. The rachet teeth ofthe adaptor 22 cooperate with the pawl to resist distal movement of theclip 34 and to hold the clip 34 in the manually selected position.

The nurse removes the paper backing which initially covers the adhesivebottom surface 18 of the base pad 16, and attaches the pad 16 to thepatient's skin proximate to the indwelling catheter 14. Specifically,the nurse grips the backing tab 67 proximate to the retainer 20. Theindicia 69 on the tab 67 indicates the location at which the nurseshould grip the tab 67. The nurse then pulls on the tab 67 and peels thebacking off one half of the bottom adhesive layer 18. The nursepositions the slot 68 of the pad 16 around the catheter cannula 14 withthe instructing indicia 70 (e.g., indicating arrow) pointing in thedirection of the catheter 14. The nurse then places the bottom layer 18against the patient's skin to adhere the base pad 16 to the patient.Light pressure over the upper layer 64 assures good adhesion between thebase pad 16 and the patient's skin. The base pad 16, due to itsflexibility, conforms to the contours of the topical surface to whichthe base pad 16 adheres.

The nurse then repeats this procedure for the other half of the pad 16.Alternatively, the nurse may completely remove the backing from the pad16 before attaching the pad 16 to the patient's skin.

The nurse orients the adaptor 22 with the clip 34 positioned to the sideof the tubular body 25 (i.e., with the support arm 32 extending in thelateral direction) and locates the adaptor support arm 32 above theseries of retainer slots 50 with the latch 36 positioned distal of theretainer distal end.

The nurse then snaps the adaptor 22 into the retainer 20 locatedproximal of the pad notch 68. In doing so, the adaptor 22 is pressedbetween the longitudinal walls 46 of the retainer 20 with the supportarm 32 extending in a lateral direction. As the nurse presses theadaptor 22 into the retainer 20, the chamfered edges 58 around the slots50 of the longitudinal wall 46 guide the support arm 32 into one of theslots 50.

As mentioned above, the opening 47 of the channel 46 has a smaller widthmeasured in the lateral direction than the diameter of the tubular body25. The lateral walls 46 thus deflect outwardly in a lateral direction.Once the tubular body 25 of the adaptor 22 rests within the centralchannel 44 of the retainer 20, the lateral walls 46 spring back to snapthe adaptor 22 in place. The walls 46 of the retainer 20 thus preventunintentional transverse and lateral movement of the adaptor 22.

In this position, the protuberance 40 of the adaptor 22 rests either ina slot 50 or in the relief 60, proximal of the slot 50 through which thesupport arm 32 passes. The protuberance 40 engages a portion of thelongitudinal wall 46, which forms either the relief 60 or the slot 50,to prevent the clip 34 from pivoting relative to the tubular body 25.The protuberance 40 thus ensures that the latch 36 maintains engagementwith the catheter hub 30.

The slot 50 through which the support arm 32 passes prevents the adaptor22 from sliding in the longitudinal direction. That is, the slot 50prevents longitudinal displacement of the adaptor 22 when secured withinthe central channel 44.

The ergonomic design of the retainer 20 provides for a variety ofpositions of the adaptor 22 in the retainer 20 so that the retainer 22is not technique or position sensitive. That is, a nurse can simplypress the adaptor 22 into the retainer 20, irrespective of the side onwhich the support arm 32 is located, and irrespective of the position ofthe support arm 32 relative to a particular slot 50. So long as thesupport arm 32 is positioned above the series of slots 50, the chamferededges 58 of the wall 46 will guide the support arm 32 into a slot 50.The protuberance 40 of the adaptor 22 also fits within an adjacent slot50 or the relief 60.

With the support arm 32 extending through a slot 50 of the retainer 20,the adaptor 22 lies in a "low profile" position. That is, the supportarm 32 of the adaptor 22 extends in the lateral direction to reduce theoverall height of the anchoring system 10, as measured in the transversedirection. This position of the adaptor 22 reduces the risk of thesystem 10 interfering with surrounding action. The retainer 20, however,allows the adaptor 22 to rotate either to a position in which thesupport arm 32 extends in the transverse direction, or to a position180° for the original position to locate the adaptor clip 34 on theopposite side of the retainer 20.

Once in the low profile position, the adaptor 22 will normally remain inthis position until the adaptor 22 and its associated tubing 12 areremoved and replaced by another.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, the nurse may also form a safety loop in thefluid supply tubing 12, as known in the art, and secure the safety loopto the patient by inserting a portion of the tubing 12 into the tubeclip 24. The safety loop absorbs any tension applied to the fluid supplytube to prevent the adaptor 22 and/or catheter 14 from being pulled.

A nurse may use the slide clamp 78 to remove the adaptor body 25 fromthe retainer 20. The nurse inserts the tab 82 of the slide clamp 78 intothe key-way groove 62 on the proximal end of the retainer 20. Becausethe tab 82 has a larger width than the depth of the key-way groove 62,measured in the transverse direction, the tab 62 pries the tubular body25 from the central channel 44 as the nurse inserts the tab 82 into thekey-way groove 62 in the distal direction. The nurse may further use theslide clamp 78 to leverage the proximal end of the tubular body 25 outthe upper opening 47 of the retainer 20. Having displaced the proximalend of the adaptor 22 from the retainer 20, the nurse may easily removethe adaptor distal end from of the retainer 20. Alternatively, the nursemay also remove the tubular body 25 by lifting up on the tubing 12 whileholding down the pad 16 or the retainer 20 with the other hand.

FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate the catheter anchoring system 10aparticularly suited for arterial catheterization. Because of thecriticality of the incident angle (i.e., the angle at which the catheter14a projects into the patient) at which the catheter 14a must bemaintained, it is advantageous to precisely position the retainer 20a sothat the retainer 20a holds the catheter 14a at the desired incidentangle. The desired range of incident angle commonly is about 5°-30° forarterial catheterization. The incident angle preferably ranges betweenabout 15° and about 25°, and more preferably equals about 22°.

A nurse inserts the catheter cannula 14a into an artery in a similarmanner to that described above in connection with intravenouscatheterization. The nurse subsequently connects the adaptor 22a to theindwelling catheter 14a as previously described. The nurse also attachesthe flexible pad 16a to the patient in a like manner to that describedabove. If desired, the nurse can remove one of the wings 140 of the pad16a before attaching the pad 16a to the patient, by tearing the pad 16aalong the perforation line 142.

The nurse orients the adaptor 22a with the clip 34a positioned to theside of the tubular body 25a (i.e., with the support arm 32a extendingin the lateral direction) and locates the adaptor support arm 32a abovethe series of retainer slots 50a with the latch 36a positioned distal ofthe retainer distal end. If the nurse positions pad 16a too close to ortoo far from the indwelling catheter 14a, the nurse can slide theretainer 20a in the desired direction to locate the retainer slots 50abeneath the adaptor support arm 32a.

The nurse then snaps the adaptor 22a into the retainer 20a locatedproximal of the pad notch 68a. In doing so, the chamfered edges 58aaround the slots 50a of the longitudinal wall 46a guide the support arm32a into one of the slots 50a. The retainer 20a automatically slideslongitudinally to precisely position a corresponding slot 50a beneaththe support arm 32a. The adaptor 22a thus snaps into the retainer 20awithout causing the catheter 14a to move substantially.

The tubular body 25a contacts the protuberance 122 of the finger 120 andcauses the finger 120 to deflect downward as the adaptor tubular body25a snaps into the central channel 44a. In turn, the pawl 114 engagesthe series of teeth 110 which prevents longitudinal movement of theretainer 20a while holding the adaptor 20a. If the nurse removes theadaptor 22a--preferably by using the slide clamp tab 82a--the finger 120springs back to its undeflected state and the retainer 20a freely slidesover the rail 96. The pawl 114 normally does not engage the series ofteeth 110.

The ability to precisely position the retainer 20a beneath the catheteradaptor 22a connected to the catheter 14a, enables the nurse to hold thecatheter 14a in a stable position and ensures that the retainer 20a willhold the adaptor 22a, and thus the catheter 14a, at the precise incidentangle. Without the ability to adjust the longitudinal position of theretainer 20a, the nurse may perform a series of position iterationsbefore properly locating base pad 16a, and thus the retainer 20a,relative to the indwelling catheter 14a.

For epidural catheterization, an anesthesiologist, for example, insertsthe distal end of microbore tubing 126 into the epidural space. Theproximal end of the microbore tubing 126 conventionally includes aToughy-Bourst adaptor 144 or other adaptor device to couple with thefluid supply tube 12b transporting the anesthesia. It is imperative thatthe connection between the microbore tubing 126 and the fluid supplytubing 144 remain intact, and that the distal end of the microboretubing 126 remains in place. For if the epidural space is exposed toair-borne microbes, meningitis may develop. Thus, a secureinterconnection between the microbore tubing 126 and the fluid supply12b should exist, and the microbore tubing 126 should be isolated fromany tension placed on either the fluid supply tube 12b, as well as theadaptor 22b.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the catheter anchoring system 10b particularlysuited for epidural catheterization. A doctor uses the present anchoringsystem 10b in a manner similar to that described above in connectionwith intravenous catheterization, with the exceptions that doctorconnects the adaptor 22b to microbore tubing 126 and adheres the basepad 16b to the patient's torso.

The doctor subsequently snakes the microbore tubing 126 through theS-clip 124 by first pressing the tubing 126 between a retainer 134 andthe wall 130, and then wrapping the tubing 126 between the first andsecond retainers 134. Light pressure forces the tube 126 between theretainers 134. The doctor then wraps the tube 126 back between thesecond retainer 134 and the second wall 130, and presses the tube 126therebetween. The S-clip 124 secures the microbore tube 126 in place andisolates the microbore tube 126 from tension placed on the adaptor 22band/or the fluid supply tube 12b with the microbore tube 126 insertedaccordingly.

Additional Embodiments

As mentioned above, it is contemplated that other types of adaptors inaddition to the one disclosed above can be used as well with the presentcatheter anchoring system. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a catheteranchoring system 10c in accordance with a further embodiment of thepresent invention which includes a different catheter adaptor style.Where appropriate, like numbers with a "c" suffix have been used toindicate like parts of the embodiments for ease of understanding.

Like the catheter anchoring systems described above, the presentcatheter anchoring system 10c principally comprises a flexible anchorpad 16c having an adhesive bottom side 18c, which attaches to the skinof the patient. The pad 16c supports a retainer 20c. The retainer 20c isconfigured to receive and secure in place a catheter adaptor 22c whichconnects to an indwelling catheter 14c. The pad 16a may also support atube clip 24c which is used to retain a portion of the tubing 12c.

FIG. 11 illustrates the adaptor 22c as comprising a generally tubularbody 25c defined between a distal end 26c and a proximal end 28c. Theproximal end 28c is adapted to receive a distal end of the tube 12c. Inan exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the fluid supply tube 12cis permanently attached to the body proximal end 28c.

The distal end 26c is configured to engage a proximal end of theindwelling catheter 14c (not shown). Although FIGS. 11 and 12 illustratethe distal end 26c of the adaptor 22c as having a frusto-conical shapeconfigured to engage a standard lure-type catheter hub 30c (not shown),it is contemplated that the distal end 26c could be configured as wellto engage other types of connectors.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative configuration of the distal end 26dof the catheter adaptor 22d. Again, for consistency, like numbers with a"d" suffix have been used to indicate like parts of the catheter adaptorof FIG. 11 and the catheter adaptor of FIG. 14.

The catheter adaptor 22d includes a standard lure-lock type fitting 220attached to the body 25d of the catheter adaptor 22d so as tocircumscribe the distal end 26d of the catheter adaptor 22d. Thelure-lock fitting 220 preferably is attached in a manner which permitsthe fitting 220 to be rotated about the catheter adaptor body 25d. It iscontemplated, however, that the distal end of the adaptor could comprisea female lure-lock type connector (i.e., a hub including nubs or threadson its external surface) as well if required by a particularapplication.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting 220 has a generally tubularshape with a closed proximal end 222. The closed end 222 includes anaperture 224 of a sufficient size to receive a portion of the adaptorbody 25d, as described below. The fitting 220 includes conventionalinternal threads 226 in order to engage corresponding threads of aconventional female lure-lock fitting (not shown).

The adaptor body 25d desirably includes an annular groove 228 whichreceives a portion of the closed end 222 of the fitting 220 tointerconnect the fitting 220 and the adaptor body 25d. Thisinterconnection also permits the fitting 220 to be rotated about theadaptor body 25d.

To assemble the catheter adaptor 22d, the conical shaped distal end 26dof the body 25d is inserted into the aperture 224 of fitting closed end222. The body 25d is then forced into the fitting 220 to slightlydeflect the closed end 222 until the closed end 222 snaps into theannular groove 228 of the body 25d. In this position, the body 25dcaptures a portion of the fitting 220 to couple these elements together.

With reference to FIG. 11, the adaptor 22c includes at least one annularcollar 200 interposed between the proximal and distal ends 28c, 26c ofthe tubular body 25c. The adaptor 22d of FIG. 14 also includes a likeannular collar 200d. It is contemplated that the collar 200 of theadaptor 22c of FIG. 11 and the collar 200d of the adaptor 22d of FIG. 14will be substantially identical, and, thus, the description herein willbe understood as applying equally to both embodiments.

The annular collar 200 flares radially outwardly and circumscribes thetubular body 25c. The annular collar 200 has a thickness measured in alongitudinal direction which is slightly less than a width of a slot 50cin a retainer wall 46c so that the collar 200 fits within the slot 50cof a retainer wall 46c, as discussed in detail below.

The adaptor 22c is preferably formed of a durable, biocompatible plasticmaterial. The adaptor 22c more preferably is formed of clear plastic soa nurse can see bubbles or backflow through the adaptor 22c. In anexemplary embodiment, the adaptor is formed of polycarbonate byinjection molded; however, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the adaptor can be formed by other construction methodsknown in the art.

FIGS. 11 and 12 also illustrate the retainer 20c which is substantiallyidentical to the retainer 20 described above. The retainer 20c comprisesa central channel 44c interposed between a pair of opposing longitudinalwalls 46c. The central channel 44c extends through the retainer 20calong an axis which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of theretainer 20c.

The central channel axis 44c has a generally circular cross-sectionalshape which is truncated at an upper end to form an opening 47c. Thecentral body 44c has a diameter sized to receive the tubular body 25c ofthe catheter adaptor 22c. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of thecentral channel 44c generally matches that of the tubular body 25c.

In cross section, the central channel 44c extends through an arc greaterthan 180° about the channel axis such that the lateral length of theopening 47c is less than the diameter of the central channel 44c. In anexemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the central channel44c extends through an arc of about 200° about the channel axis.

As best seen in FIG. 13a, the channel axis is desirably skewed relativeto a base surface 48c of the retainer 20c. An incident angle θ formedbetween the base surface 48c and the channel axis is less than 45°. Theincident angle θ desirably ranges between 5° and 30°. In an exemplaryembodiment for intravenous use, the angle θ preferably approximatelyequals 7°.

The longitudinal walls 46c are substantially identical. Each wall 46chas a thickness measured in the lateral direction less than the lengthof the support arm 32 of the adaptor 22, as it is desirable for thepresent retainer 20c to accept both the above-described adaptor 22 whichcomprises a support arm 32 connected to a clip 34, as well as thepresent adaptor 22c which comprises an annular collar 200. Preferably,the thickness of the wall 46c measured in the lateral direction isgreater than the distance measured radially by which the collar 200extends beyond the exterior surface of the tubular body 25c (i.e., aradial height). The length of each wall 46c, as measured in thelongitudinal direction, is preferably coextensive with the length of theretainer 20c.

Each wall 46c comprises a uniform series of slot 50c. The seriescomprises at least two (2) slots 50c and not more than twenty (20) slots50c. More preferably, the series comprises less than seven (7) slots50c. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in the figures, theseries comprises four (4) slots 50c.

As discussed above, each slot 50c is sized to receive the collar 200 ofthe adaptor 22c, as well as the support arm 32 of the catheter adaptor22, to prevent longitudinal displacement of the respective adaptor 22,22c. Each slot 50c desirably has a rectangular shape. As seen in FIG.12, the slots 50c extend from an exterior surface 52c, through the wall46c, and open into the central channel 44c. The width of the slot 50c,as measured in the longitudinal direction, is desirably slightly greaterthan the width of the support arm 32 and the width of the collar 200.

As illustrated by FIG. 13a, each slot 50c extends in the transversedirection from an upper edge 54c of the longitudinal wall 46c to a pointbelow the bottom 56c of the central channel 44c. The height of the slot50c, as measured in the transverse direction, is thus greater than thedistance between the upper edge 54c and the channel bottom 56c of theretainer 20c. As seen in FIG. 13b, the retainer 20c further includes aseries of lateral grooves 202 which extend between opposing slots 50cand extend into the retainer 20c from the channel bottom surface 56c.The opposing slots 50c and groove 202 thus form a lateral channel whichextends through the retainer 20c in the lateral direction and cuts intothe retainer 20c from the upper edge 54c to a point below the channelbottom surface 56c. The groove 202 desirably is sized to receive aportion of the collar 200 such that with the tubular body 25c positionedwithin the central channel 44c, the collar 200 extends between opposingslots 50c and into the groove 202. Thus, the groove 202 has a depth,measured between the lower surface 56c of the central channel 44c andthe bottom of the groove in transverse direction, which is greater thanthe radial height of the annular collar 200.

FIG. 13b illustrates that the spacing S between the slots 50c, oncenter, desirably equals about half the distal L (see FIG. 2) betweenthe support arm 32 and the protuberance 40 of the catheter adaptor 22.The position of the slots in relation to the proximal and distal ends26c, 28c of the retainer 20c is desirably configured in accordance withthe spacing and positioning discussed above in connection with theabove-described retainer 22, such that the present retainer 22c can beused with the above-described adaptor 22, including a clip 34.

FIGS. 11 and 13a illustrate the upper edge of each longitudinal wall 46cwhich comprises a series of chamfers 58c formed and positioned asdisclosed above in connection with the retainer 20. As discussed above,the chamfers 58c slope downwardly towards the slot 50c to facilitate theinsertion of either the support arm 32 of the above-described catheteradaptor 22 or the annular collar 200 of the present catheter adaptor 22cinto the slot 50c.

As FIGS. 11-13b illustrate, each longitudinal wall 46c may furthercomprise a relief 60c disposed on the proximal end of the retainer 20c.The configuration and position of the relief 60c desirably is inaccordance with the above description of the retainer 20. FIG. 11further illustrates that the retainer 20c may additionally comprise akey-way groove 62c to facilitate removal of the catheter adaptor 22cfrom the retainer 20c, as discussed above. The key-way groove 62cdesirably is also positioned and configured in accordance with the abovedisclosure in connection with the retainer 20.

The retainer 20c is made of relatively stiff plastic material, but issomewhat flexible such that the adaptor 22c forces the upper edges 54cof the longitudinal walls 46c outwardly when a nurse presses the adaptor22c into the central channel 44c of the retainer 20c. The retainer 20cis desirably formed of polycarbonate by injection molding. When theadaptor 22c sits within the central channel 44c, the upper edges 54c ofthe walls 46c snap inwardly to their original position to securely holdthe adaptor 22c within the retainer 20c.

An adhesive preferably attaches the retainer 20c to the anchor pad 16c.Alternatively, the retainer 20c may be attached to the anchor pad 16c bylike means as well, e.g., embedding or otherwise weaving the retainerinto the anchor pad 16c.

FIG. 11 illustrates the anchor pad 16c as comprising a flexible,laminate structure comprising an upper paper or other woven or non-wovencloth layer 64c and a bottom adhesive layer 18c, with an inner cellulosefoam layer 66c interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the flexible basepad 16 may comprise an adhesive bottom layer 18 and an upper cellulosefoam layer. An upper surface of the foam layer is roughened by coronatreating with a low electric charge, as known in the art. The foam layer66c forms a cushion between the patient's skin and the rigid, plasticretainer 20c and tube clamp 24c. The adhesive layer 18c may comprise acoating of diaphoretic or nondiaphoretic material, depending upon thepatient's skin condition. A medical grade foam tape with a diaphoreticor a nondiaphoretic adhesive is available commercially from NDMManufacturers.

The removable paper or plastic backing (not shown) desirably covers thebottom adhesive layer 18 before use. As discussed above and illustratedin FIG. 12, the backing is preferably divided into a plurality of piecesand includes tabs 67c to ease removal of the backing from the pad 16.The tabs 67c may include indicia 69c (e.g., dots, text, arrows, etc.) toindicate the location at which to grip the corresponding tab 67c whenpeeling the removable backing off the pad 16c.

As best seen in FIG. 12, the anchor pad 16 desirably has a generallytrapezoidal shape with rounded corners. A distal edge 206 of the anchorpad 16c desirably has a width, as measured in the lateral direction,wider than that of a proximal edge 204. The longer distal edge 206provides a longer adhesive surface over a rough contact surface, suchas, for example, over knuckles, vertebrae, or the like. The generallytrapezoidal shape, however, minimizes the overall size of the anchor pad16c attached to the patient. The trapezoidal shape also provides thesame surface area as a square pad with a appearance of a smaller pad.The longitudinal sides 208 of the anchor pad 16c preferably taper fromthe proximal edge 206 to the distal edge 204, and more desirably haveconcave shapes.

The anchor pad includes a notch 68c positioned along the proximal edge204 of the anchor pad 16c and adjacent to the point of insertion of thecatheter cannula. Preferably, the notch 68c is symmetrically positionedabout the channel axis 44c of the retainer 20c attached to the anchorpad 16c. The notch 68c is sized to permit visual inspection of thecatheterized site and is large enough to allow for variable placement ofthe pad 16c with respect to the insertion site. That is, the notch 68cis large enough that a nurse is not required to precisely position thepad on the patient's skin with respect to the indwelling catheter 14c(not shown).

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the anchor pad 16c desirably may compriseindicia 70c sometimes in the form of an arrow which indicates the properorientation of the anchor pad 16 in reference to the catheterized site.When properly used, the indicia 70c points toward the indwellingcatheter 14c (not shown).

The anchor pad 16c preferably supports a clip 24c which secures thefluid supply tube 12c to the anchor pad 16c. As seen in FIG. 12, thefluid supply tube 12c is preferably looped back around in a proximaldirection and inserted into the clip 24c to form a safety loop, as knownin the art. The tube clip 24c is desirably configured in accordance withthe above description. The clip 24c may be made in a variety of sizes toaccommodate various calibers of fluid flow tubing 12c.

In use, a nurse typically uses the catheter anchoring system 10c inconnection with an indwelling catheter 14c (not shown). The catheter 14cis inserted into a body lumen, such as a vein, in accordance with theabove description. The nurse then inserts the distal end 26c of theadaptor 22c into a catheter hub 30c (not shown) to connect the adaptor22c to the catheter 14c. The nurse may then secure the adapter 22c tothe catheter 14c by means of the ratchet clip, or the lure-lock fitting.

The nurse removes the paper backing which initially covers the adhesivebottom surface 18c of the anchor pad 16c, as described above, andattaches the anchor pad 16c to the patient's skin proximate to theindwelling catheter 14c. The nurse specifically positions the notch 68cof the pad 16c around the catheter cannula 14c with the indicating arrow70c pointing in the direction of the catheter 14c. The nurse generallyaligns the proximal edge 204 of the anchor pad 16c with the insertionsite.

The nurse positions the adaptor 22c above the series of retainer slots50c, and snaps the adaptor 22c into the retainer 20c. In doing so, theadaptor 22c is pressed between the longitudinal walls 46c of theretainer 20c with the annular collar 200 extending into opposing slots50c and into the corresponding groove 202 of the retainer 20c. As thenurse presses the adaptor into the retainer 20c, the chamfered edges 58caround the slots 50c of the longitudinal walls 46c guide the annularcollar 200 into the slots 50c. The retainer 20c secures the adaptor 20cas described above.

With the annular collar 200 positioned in the opposing slots 50c theadaptor 22c is prevented from sliding in a longitudinal direction.

Like the above-described embodiments of the retainer, the ergonomicdesign of the retainer 20c provides for various positions of the adaptor22c in the retainer 20c so that the retainer 22c is not technique- orposition-sensitive. That is, a nurse can simply press the adaptor 22cinto the retainer 20c, irrespective of the position of the annularcollar 20 relative to a particular slot 50c of the retainer 20c. So longas the annular collar 200 is positioned above the series of slots 50c,the chamfered edges 58c of the wall 46c will guide the annular collar200 into the slot 50c.

The present embodiment of the retainer 20c, as mentioned above, may alsobe used with the above-described adaptor 22 having the clip 34. A nurseuses the present retainer with the above-described adaptor 22 in thesame manner as described above in connection with the above-describedretainer 20.

If the catheter hub 30 (see FIG. 1) is a standard female lure-lockfitting, the lure-lock fitting 220 (FIG. 14) of the adaptor body 22d isrotated with the distal end 26d inserted into the catheter hub 30 tointerlock the corresponding fittings 222, 30 in the known manner. Thecatheter adaptor 22d is then used with the anchoring system in a likemanner to that described above.

FIGS. 15-19 depict an anchoring device 300 for a tube fitting or tubingadaptor which is configured in accordance with an additional preferredembodiment of the present invention. As in prior embodiments, thepresent anchoring device 300 uses a base pad 302 and a retainer 304 forsecuring a fluidic tube to a patient. However, in place of the adaptorused in prior embodiments, the present anchoring device 300 isconfigured for use with a tube fitting having at least first and secondgenerally tubular segments which are interconnected by a transversemember.

In the illustrated embodiment, the present anchoring device 300 isconfigured for use with a J-loop tube fitting 306 (i.e. an I.V.Connector Loop), which is available commercially as the InterLink®System (Part No. 2N3372) from Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Inc., ofDeerfield, Ill. The present anchoring device 300, however, can bereadily adapted by those skilled in the art for use with similar typesof tube fittings, adaptors and connectors.

For the purpose of describing the present anchoring device 300 andcorresponding tube fitting 306, a second coordinate system is providedhaving mutually orthogonal coordinates oriented as follows: a"longitudinal" coordinate and a "transverse" coordinate defining a planewhich generally lies parallel to the surface of the patient's skin towhich the anchoring device 300 is to be attached; and a "vertical"coordinate which extends orthogonal to both the longitudinal coordinateand the transverse coordinate, out of the defined plane. The descriptionof the anchoring device 300 shown in FIGS. 15-23 will be in reference tothis second coordinate system, and not the coordinate system shown inFIG. 1 and used in connection with the above described embodiment.

Before describing the present anchoring device 300, the J-loop tubefitting 306 will be described to assist the reader in understanding thepresent anchoring device 300. As seen in FIG. 15, the tube fitting 306includes a body 308 formed of a generally rigid material, such as, forexample, polycarbonate. The body 308 includes a port 309 having atubular proximal segment 310 and a distal connector 312. The distalconnector 312 desirably is configured as a lure-slip connector; however,other types of connectors, such as, for example, a male or femalelure-lock connector, or a hub connector, can be used as well at thedistal end of the port 309.

The body 308 also includes a clip 314 which has a generally tubularshape with a slot 316. The slot 316 extends along the length of thetubular segment 314 and exposes an inner cylindrical cavity 318 of thetubular segment 314. The inner cavity 318 is sized to receive a flexibletubing 320, as described below. The clip 314 thus has a generallycylindrical shape which is truncated along its length on one side toform the slot 316. The outer diameter of the clip 314, however,substantially matches that of the tubular segment 310 of the port 309.The clip 310 thus forms a second generally tubular segment on the body308.

A transverse member 322 of the body 310 interconnects the tubularsegment 310 of the port 309 and the clip 314. The transverse member 322desirably extends in a direction which generally is collinear with aline passing through the axes of the tubular segment 310 and the clip314.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular segment 310 and the clip 314are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The transverse member322 has parallel side edges 324 which are approximately as thick as thewalls of the tubular segment 310 and the clip 314. The transverse member322 extends between the second tubular segment 310 and the clip 314 in adirection which is perpendicular to the axes of the tubular segment 310and clip 314.

As seen in FIG. 15, the flexible tube 320 is attached to a proximal endof the tubular segment 310 and is looped back toward the clip 314. Thetube 320 is inserted through the slot 316 so as to extend through theclip 314. A slight interference fit desirably exists between the tube320 and the wall of the inner cavity 318 of the clip 314 such that thetube 320 cannot freely slide through the clip 314, but may be pulledthrough without occluding the tube 320.

As understood from FIG. 15, the transverse member 322 holds the tubularsegment 310 and the clip 314 apart. The spacing between the tubularsegment 310 and the clip 314 creates the loop in the tube 320. The loopin the tube 320 functions as a safety loop so that any tension appliedto the tube 320 does not directly pass to the distal connector 312 ofthe port 309, but rather is absorbed by the slack in the tube 320created by the loop.

The proximal end of the tube 320 includes a connector 326 to engage acorresponding connector on a distal end of tubing (not shown) to connectthe tube fitting 306 to the tubing. In the illustrated embodiment, theconnector 326 is configured as a female lure-lock connector. Theproximal end of the tube 320, of course, can include other types ofconnectors, such as, for example, a male lure-lock connector, alure-slip connector, or a conventional hub connector.

FIG. 15 also illustrates the present anchoring device 300 which securesthe tube fitting 306 to a patient. As mentioned above, the anchoringdevice 300 includes a retainer 304 and an anchor pad 302.

The retainer 304 desirably has a symmetrically shaped body in order forthe tube fitting 306 to be positioned within the retainer 304 regardlessof the orientation of the tube fitting 306 relative to the retainer 304.That is, it does not matter in which channel 328, 330 the clip 314 ispositioned, nor does it matter on which side of the retainer body 304the tube fitting connectors 312, 326 are positioned. The retainer 304,however, can have an asymmetric shape, but the anchoring device 300would lose the above-described versatility, i.e., the multiple ways inwhich to position the tube fitting 306 in the present symmetric retainer304.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 16, the retainer body 304 has agenerally rectangular block-like shape with at least first and secondchannels 328, 330 extending through the body 304. The channels 328, 330extend in a direction through the body 304 which corresponds with thedirection of the short side of the body 304. The channels 328, 330 alsoare spaced apart from each other so as to correspond to the spacingbetween the tubular segment 310 and the clip 314 of the tube fitting306. As understood from FIGS. 16 and 17, the channels 328, 330 desirablyextend along parallel axes and are configured as the mirror image ofeach other.

The axes of each channel 328, 330 desirably extend generally parallel tothe longitudinal coordinate (see FIG. 15). The axes of the channels 328,330, however, can be skewed relative to the plane defined by thelongitudinal and transverse coordinates. That is, as with the abovedescribed embodiments, the channel axis can form an incident angle θformed with the surface of the patient's skin. The incident angle θdesirably is less than 45°, and preferably ranges between 5° and 30°. Inan exemplary embodiment for intravenous use, the angle θ preferablyapproximately equals 7°.

As seen in FIG. 16, the retainer body 304 also includes a flared centersection 332 and reduced-width ends 334, 336 through which the channels328, 330 extend. This configuration provides increased strength to thecenter section 332 of the retainer body 304 in which a central hole 338is defined, while providing clearance at the ends of the channels 328,330 to allow a tube connector (e.g., a female lure-lock connector) to berotated without interference from the retainer 304.

With reference to FIG. 17, the first channel 328 is formed between alateral wall 340 and a medial wall 342. The second channel 330 likewiseis formed between a lateral wall 344 and a medial wall 346. Thestructure of the lateral walls 340, 344 and the structure of the medialwalls 342, 346, apart from orientation, are substantially identical, andthe discussion herein of one of the lateral walls and one of the medialwalls will be understood as applying equally to both like walls, unlessspecified to the contrary.

The first lateral wall 340 includes an inner arcuate surface 348 thatextends between the bottom of the channel 328 and an upper transitionedge 350. An arc angle of the inner arcuate surface 348 desirably isgreater than 90°, preferably ranges between 90° and 130°, and mostpreferably equals approximately 120°.

The radius of curvature of the arcuate surface 348 generally matchesthat of the tubular segment 310 and clip 314 of the tube fitting 306. Inan exemplary embodiment, the radius of curvature approximately equals0.12 inches (0.3 cm); however, the radius of curvature of the arcuatesurface 348 can be varied to suit a particular size of tube fitting 306.

An intersection between the inner arcuate surface 348 and an uppervertical section 352 of the lateral wall 340 defines the uppertransition edge 350. The upper vertical section 352 extends from theupper transition edge 350 to an upper edge 354 of the lateral wall 340.The upper vertical section 352 helps guide the tubular segment 310 orthe clip 314 of the tube fitting 306 into the channel 328, as describedbelow.

The lateral wall 340 also includes an outer surface 356. The outersurface 356 has a rounded upper section 358 that extends from the upperedge 354 and transitions into a tapering section 360. The taperingsection 360 falls away from the upper end 354. The rounded upper ends358 of the lateral walls 340, 344 give the retainer 304 blunt edges onwhich items are less likely to catch or a patient or healthcare provideris less likely to be cut or scratched.

The medial wall 342 also includes an inner arcuate surface 362 thatextends between the bottom of the channel 328 and an upper verticalsection 364 of the medial wall 342. In the illustrated embodiment, anarc angle of the inner arcuate surface 362 equals approximately 90°;however, the inner arcuate surface 362 of the medial wall 342 can haveother arc angles. The inner arcuate surfaces 348, 362 of the medial andlateral walls 340, 342 together extends through an arc of greater than180°, and preferably extend through an arc of about 210°.

Like the arcuate surface 348 of the lateral wall 340, the radius ofcurvature of the medial wall arcuate surface 362 generally matches thatof the tubular segment 310 and clip 314 of the tube fitting 310. In anexemplary embodiment, the radius of curvature approximately equals 0.12inches (0.3 cm). Thus, the inner arcuate surfaces 348, 362 of the medialand lateral walls 342, 340 together define the diameter of the channel328, which in an exemplary embodiment generally equals 0.236 inches (0.6cm); however, the diameter of the channel 328 can be sized to suit aparticular tube fitting or adaptor.

As understood for FIG. 16, the transition between the inner arcuatesurface 362 and the vertical section 364 of the medial wall 342 occursat a point lying within a horizontal plane defined by the axes of thefirst and second channels 328, 330. The vertical section 362 extendsfrom this transition to an upper end 366 of the medial wall 342. In theillustrated embodiment, the upper end 366 of the medial wall 342 isrounded to facilitate insertion of the tubular segment 310 or the clip314 of the tube fitting 306 into the channel 328, as described below.

The transition between the vertical segment 362 and the rounded end 366occurs at an upper transition point 368. As seen in FIG. 16, thistransition point 368 desirably lies above the level of channel axis inthe vertical direction, but below the transition edge 350 of the lateralwall 340. The rounded top edge 366 of the medial wall 342 also liesbelow the level of the upper end 354 of the lateral wall 340 so as toexpose the vertical section 352 of the lateral wall 340 which the tubefitting 306 initially contacts when inserting the tubular segment 310 orthe clip 314 into the channel 328.

The channel 328 desirably receives the tubular segment 310 or the clip314 of the tube fitting 316 in a snap-fit manner. That is, the tubularsegment 310 or the clip 314 snaps into channel 328. The lateral andmedial walls 340, 342 cooperate to hold the tube fitting tubular segment310 or clip 314 within the channel 328 until forcibly removed. The forcerequired to remove the tubular segment 310 or the clip 314 from betweenthe walls 340, 342 is at least equal to the force required to deflectthe lateral wall 340 from the medial wall 342, as described below.

For the purpose of providing a snap-fit connection, the distance betweenthe upper transition point 368 of the medial wall 342 and the transitionedge 350 of the lateral wall 340 desirably is less than the diameter ofthe channel 328. In an exemplary embodiment, the difference between thediameter of the channel 328 and the distance across the channel 328between the upper transition point 368 and the transition edge 350 isabout 0.015 inches (0.04 cm); of course, this difference can be varieddepending upon the desired degree of retention.

As seen in FIG. 17, the retainer 304 also has a minimum thickness at thebottom of the channel 328 to allow flexure of the lateral wall 340 awayfrom the medial wall 340. That is, the thickness between a bottomsurface 370 of the retainer 304 and the bottom of the channel 328 isless than the thickness of the medial wall 342 or of the lateral wall342.

The retainer 340 further is formed of rigid but flexible material topermit the deflection of the lateral wall 340 away from the medial wall342 when inserting and removing the tubular segment 310 or the clip 314from the channel 328. Although the retainer 304 can be formed of any ofa wide variety of materials, the retainer 304 desirably is formed ofpolycarbonate or a like polymer, as discussed below.

The center section 332 of the retainer body 304 is formed between themedial walls 342, 346 of the first and second channels 328, 330. As bestunderstood from FIGS. 16 and 18, the center section 332 defines atransverse channel 372 which accepts the transverse member 322 with thechannels 328, 330 receiving the tubular segment 310 and clip 314 of thetube fitting 306. For this purpose, the transverse channel 372 extendsthrough the medial walls 342, 346 of the first and second channel 328,330. As best seen in FIG. 16, the ends of the transverse channel 372desirably are rounded to smoothly blend into the medial walls 342, 346.

As seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 18, the transverse channel372 desirably has a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape which isformed by a bottom surface 374, converging sides 376, and upper chamferedges 380. The converging sides 376 converge toward a pitch point 378.The channel 372, however, could have other cross-sectional shapes, suchas, for example, rectangular, and preferably would include means forreleasably retaining the transverse member 322 of the tube fitting 306within the transverse channel 372.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 374 has a widthgreater than the width the of the transverse member 322 (i.e., thedistance between the sides 324 of the transverse member 322), while thewidth of the transverse channel 372 at the pitch point 378 is less thanthe width of the transverse member 322. In this manner, the transversemember 322 snaps into the transverse channel 372. In an exemplaryembodiment of the retainer 304 for use with the Baxter InterLink®, thewidth of the channel 372 at the pitch point 378 is about 0.16 inches(0.4 cm); however, the size of the channel can be varied in order tosuit a specific tube fitting.

The sides 376 of the transverse channel 372 extend from the bottomsurface 374 toward the pitch point 378 at an angle slightly skewedrelative to a vertical axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the sides376 lie at an angle skewed from the vertical by about 5°. The sides 376,however, can have a larger skew angle relative to a vertical axis inorder to accommodate a particular size or shape transverse member 322.

The upper edges 380 of the transverse channel 372 are chamfered and slopinward toward the pitch point 378. These chamfered edges 380 help guidethe transverse member 322 into the transverse channel 372. The chamferededges 380 generally lie at about 45° relative to a vertical axis. Thisallows the edges on the walls of the channel 372 formed at the pitchpoint 378 to be sufficiently deflectable to allow the healthcareprovider to push the transverse member 322 into the transverse channel372, as described below.

As best understood from FIG. 17, the bottom surface 374 of the channel372 lies beneath the horizontal plane defined by the axes of the firstand second channels 328, 330. In the illustrated embodiment for use withthe InterLink® System, the vertical distance between the plane ofchannel axes and the bottom surface 374 is at least equal to half of thethickness of the transverse member 322.

As best seen in FIGS. 16-18, the hole 338 defined in the center section332 of the retainer 304 desirably has a rectangular shape with taperingsides. The degree of taper desirably matches that of the sides 376 ofthe transverse channel 370. The hole 338 aids in the construction of theretainer 304, as described below.

With reference to FIG. 18, the center section 332 of the retainer bodyincludes outer sides 382 which taper away from the transverse channel372 and terminate at rounded upper edges 384. The rounded upper edges384 intersect with the chamfer edges 380 formed at the upper end of thetransverse channel 372. The rounded upper edges 384 of the centersection 332 give the retainer 304 blunt side edges on which objects areless likely to catch or a patient or healthcare provider is less likelyto get cut or scratched.

As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, the ends of upper side edges 384 of thecenter section 332 form the upper ends 366 of the medial walls 342, 346.The upper side edges 384 generally extend straight between the upperends 366 of the medial walls 342, 346, and, thus, lie below the level ofthe upper end 354 of the lateral walls 340, 344.

The bottom surface 370 of the retainer desirably is curved. FIG. 17 bestillustrates the radius of curvature of the bottom surface 370 of theretainer body 304. The radius of curvature of desirably generallyapproximates the curvature of the dorsal surface of the patient's hand.In an exemplary embodiment, the radius of curvature is generally about 6inches for use with an adult size hand; however, the radius of curvaturecan be selected to suit various sizes of hands, such as the small handsof a child or the larger hands of an above-average size adult.

The retainer 304 may be constructed in any of a variety of ways whichwill be well known to one of skill in the art. For instance, theretainer 304 may be integrally molded such as by injection molding or bythermoplasty. If injection molded, a slider element of the mold can beused to form the transverse channel 372, as known in the art. Theconstruction hole 338 in the retainer body 304 provides a conventionalexit for removing the slider from the transverse channel 372 before thepart is ejected from the mold. In the alternative, the transversechannel 372 can be machined or otherwise formed through conventionalprocesses after the retainer body 304 is molded.

The retainer 304 preferably comprise a durably, flexible material, andmore preferably comprise a generally inert, non-toxic material. In apreferred embodiment, the retainer 304 is molded of plastic, such as,for example, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene,polyurethane, tetrafluoroethylene (e.g., TEFLON®),polytetrafluoroethylene (a.k.a., PTEF), acetal resin (e.g., DELRIN®),chlorotrifluoroethylene (e.g., KEL-F®), nylon or like polymers.

As seen in FIG. 15, the anchor pad 302 supports the retainer 304. Theconstruction of the anchor pad 302 is substantially the same as the basepads used in the above-described embodiments.

The anchor pad 304 desirably comprises a flexible, laminate structurecomprising an upper paper or other woven or non-woven cloth layer 386and a bottom adhesive layer 388, with an inner cellulose foam layer 390interposed therebetween. The adhesive bottom surface 388 can becoextensive with the upper layers or can cover only a portion of theanchor pad 302, such as, for example, just the outer extremities (i.e.,the pseudopod, described below). Alternatively, the flexible base pad304 may comprise an adhesive bottom layer and an upper cellulose foamlayer. An upper surface of the foam layer is roughened by coronatreating with a low electric charge, as known in the art. The foam layer390 forms a cushion between the patient's skin and the rigid, plasticretainer 304. The adhesive layer 388 may comprise a coating ofdiaphoretic or nondiaphoretic material, depending upon the patient'sskin condition. A medical grade foam tape with a diaphoretic or anondiaphoretic adhesive is available commercially from NDMManufacturers.

A removable paper or plastic backing 392 desirably covers the bottomadhesive layer 390 before use. The backing 392 is preferably dividedinto a plurality of pieces and includes tabs 392 to ease removal of thebacking 392 from the pad 302. The tabs 394 may include indicia (e.g.,dots, text, arrows, etc.) to indicate the location at which to grip thecorresponding tab 392 when peeling the removable backing 392 off the pad302.

The anchor pad 302 has a medial segment 396 and at least one pseudopod398. As mentioned above, the term "pseudopod" as used herein means amovable extremity of the anchor pad 302. The medial segment generallyhas a rectangular shape of a size at least coextensive with thefootprint of the retainer 304. At least one pseudopod 398 extends from alongitudinal end of the medial segment 398.

The overall length and width of the anchor pad 302 desirably isapproximately equal to the length and width of the tube fitting 306 soas to be easily packaged with the tube fitting 306; however, it isunderstood that the anchor pad 302 can have a variety of different sizesin order to suit a specific application.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor pad 302 desirably has agenerally X-like shape, as best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, and includesfour pseudopods 398, two extending from each longitudinal end of themedial segment 396. The anchor pad 302, however, can take any of anumber of other shapes, such as, for example, have differingarrangements of pseudopods placed around the medial segment 396 of thepad 302 or be configured as any of the base pads described above. Italso will be apparent to those of skill in the art that this anchor padconfiguration can be used with other anchoring system, such as, forexample, with the anchoring systems described above.

As seen in FIG. 19, each pseudopod 398 includes an arm 400 that extendsdistally from the medial segment 396. In the illustrated embodiment,each arm 400 extends from the medial segment at an angle θ with respectto the longitudinal axis of the medial segment 396. This angle θ isgreater than zero, but preferably less than about 90°. In an exemplaryembodiment, the angle θ generally equals 45°; however, each arm 400 canextend from the medial segment 396 at any of a variety of angles withinthe desired range in order to suit a specific application.

In the illustrated embodiment, each arm 400 attaches to a distal end 402of the pseudopod 398. The distal ends 402 are significantly larger thanthe proximal ends of the arms 400 which are connected to the medialsegment 396. The wider distal ends 402 provide a larger surface area andallow the anchor pad 302 to better grip the skin of a patient, while thenarrower proximal ends of the arms 400 allow the healthcare provider topivot or bend each pseudopod 398 relative to the medial segment 396.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that the particulardesign of the anchor pad 302 shown in FIGS. 15, 19 and 23 is only one ofa number of designs which can be used. For instance, the anchor pad 302can have greater or fewer pseudopods 398. The distal ends 402 of thepseudopods do not need to have rounded edges, but instead can havegenerally straight edges. The straight inner edges 404 of the arms 400could also, on the other hand, be rounded. The space between the arms400 also need not have an arrow shape, nor do the distal ends 402 of twoadjacent pseudopods 398 need to extend toward each other, asillustrated. In addition, the medial segment does not have to have arectangular shape, but instead can have any of a variety of shapes, suchas, for example, oval, round, square, trapezoidal, etc.

The inclusion of pseudopods 398 on the anchor pad 302, however, hasparticular utility when used to anchor a medical tube on the dorsalsurface of the patient's hand proximate to the knuckles. The arms 400,which extend from the medial segment 306, are able to be bent, twistedor pivoted around the uneven surface of the knuckles for improvedcontact with the patient's skin.

Use of the present anchoring system will now be described with primaryreference to FIGS. 20-23. The J-loop tube fitting 306 is used much likethe catheter adaptor of previous described embodiments. A healthcareprovider typically begins the catheterization process by positioning acatheter at a desired location above a vein or artery. The healthcareprovider introduces a needle or other stylus through a cannula portionof the catheter and into the skin of the patient. The healthcareprovider then inserts the cannula of the catheter into the patient andwithdraws the needle or stylus. A hub of the catheter typically remainsexposed above the skin.

At this point in the procedure, the healthcare provider connects thetube fitting 306 to the hub of the catheter. For use with theillustrated tube fitting 306, the healthcare provider slips thelure-slip connector 312 into the hub of the catheter until the hubtightly engages the distal end of the lure-slip connector 312. As shownin FIG. 23, the lure slip connector 312 conventionally is covered beforebeing connected to the catheter. Likewise the other connector 326 (i.e.,the lure-lock connector) of the tube fitting 306 is advantageouslycovered before being connected to a fluid tube.

The healthcare provider uses the present anchoring device 300 to securethe tube fitting 306 to the patient's skin. The healthcare providerremoves the paper backing 392 which initially covers the adhesive bottomsurface 388 of the anchor pad 302, as described above, and attaches theanchor pad 302 to the patient's skin proximate to the indwellingcatheter. As indwelling catheter is typically located on the lateralside of the hand, the healthcare provider positions the anchor pad 302on the dorsal surface of the hand proximate to the knuckles. Ifrequired, the healthcare provider spreads or positions the pseudopods398 of the anchoring pad 302 to smoothly wrap around the knuckles orother contours of the patient's hand in order to securely position theanchoring pad on the patient's skin.

When attaching the anchor pad 302 to the patient, the healthcareprovider also coarsely aligns one of the channels with one of thetubular segments of the tube fitting body 308 (i.e., either with thetubular segment 310 of the of port 309 or with the clip 314).

The healthcare provider positions the tube fitting 306 above theretainer 304 and inserts one generally tubular segment (i.e., thetubular segment 310 or the clip 314) of the tube fitting 306 into one ofthe channels 328, 330 of the retainer 304. If the clip 314 is firstinserted into the channel 328, 330, the clip 314 slides between themedial and lateral walls 340, 342, without deflecting the lateral wall340. The healthcare provider inserts the clip 314 until it is fullyseated within the channel 328, 330.

If the tubular segment 310 of the port 309 is inserted first, thetubular segment 310 contacts the transition edge 350 and verticalsegment 352 of the lateral wall 340, 344 on one side and the roundedupper edge 366 of the medial wall 342, 346 on the other. As thehealthcare provider forcibly inserts the tubular segment 310 into thechannel 328, 330, the lateral wall 340, 344 of the retainer 304 deflectsaway from the medial wall 342, 346 to allow the tubular segment 310 toslide into the channel 328, 330. Once inserted, as best seen in FIG. 21,the lateral wall 340, 344 springs back to its undeflected position.Transition edge 350 captures the tubular segment 310 within the channel328, 330.

With continual reference to FIG. 21, the healthcare provider then pushesthe second tubular segment (either the tubular segment 310 or the clip314) into the second channel 328, 330. If the clip 314 is being insertedinto the channel 328, 330, the clip 314 slides between the correspondingmedial and lateral walls without deflecting the lateral wall 340, 344.The healthcare provider inserts the clip 314 until it is fully seatedwithin the channel 328, 330.

If the tubular segment 310 at this stage of the anchoring procedure, thetubular segment 310 first engages the upper vertical surface 352 of thelateral wall 340, 344 and slides over it as the healthcare providercontinues to push the tubular segment 310 or the clip 314 into thechannel 328, 330. The upper rounded edge 366 of the medial wall 342, 346aids in this process, providing some leverage as the tubular segment 310slides over it. The contact between the tubular segment 310 and theupper vertical surface 352 causes the corresponding lateral wall 340,344 to deflect away from the medial wall 342, 346. This allows thetubular segment tubular segment 310 of the tube fitting 306 to be pushedinto the channel 328, 330. Once the tubular segment 310 seats within thechannel 328, 330, as seen in FIG. 21, the lateral wall 340, 344 springsback to its undeflected state, snapping over a portion of the tubularsegment 310 or clip 314. This snap-fit connection between the tubularsegment 310 and clip 314 of the tube fittings 306 and the correspondingchannels 328, 330 of the retainer 304 secures the tube fitting body 308within the retainer 304.

During this second stage of the insertion process, the transverse member322 of the tube fitting 306 snaps into the transverse channel 372. Withreference to FIG. 22, the upper chamfered edges 380 of the transversechannel 372 guide the transverse member 322 into the channel 372. Theedges of the channel 372 at the pinch point 378 deflect as thehealthcare provider forces the transverse member 322 into the transversechannel 372, while forcing the second tubular segment (either thetubular segment 310 or the clip 314) into the channel 328, 330. Afterthe transverse member 322 passes through the pinch point 378, thetapered side walls 376 help force the transverse member 322 towards thebottom 374 of the transverse channel 372. The edges of the channel 372at the pinch point 378 also return to an undeflected state, therebysnapping the transverse member 322 into the channel 372. As bestunderstood from FIGS. 20 and 23, with a transverse member 322 positionedin the transverse channel 372, the tubular segments 310, 314 of the tubefitting body 308 are prevented from sliding along the axis of thecorresponding channel 328, 330. Thus, the retainer 304 secures the tubefitting body 308 to the patient and prevents it from moving relative tothe retainer 304. That is, the channels 328, 330 of the retainer 304secure the tube fitting body 308 from forces applied in the transversedirection as well as from forces applied upwardly, as long as suchupward forces are not sufficient to "unsnap" the tube fitting body 308from the retainer 304.

The ergonomic design of the present retainer 304 allows the healthcareprovider to position the retainer 302 beneath the tube fitting 306without regard to the orientation of the retainer 304. That is, becauseof the symmetric configuration of the retainer 304, it does not matterwhich channel 328, 330 receives the full cylindrical tubular segment 310of the port 309 and which channel 328, 330 receives the partialcylindrical clip 314 of the tube fitting body 308. Nor does it matterwhich side of the retainer 304 faces the indwelling catheter and onwhich side of the retainer 304 the J-loop in the tube 320 is positioned.The healthcare provider thus simply positions the retainer 304 beneaththe tube fitting 306 without further concern: an important aspect of thepresent anchoring device 300 when used during exigent circumstances. Italso does not matter which side of the J-loop tube fitting 306 (i.e.,the tubular segment 310 or the clip 314) is inserted first. The multipleways in which the tube fitting 306 can be inserted into the retaineralso furthers the ergonomics of the present anchoring system.

In addition, the present anchoring system does away with the use of tapefor securing the tube fitting 306 to the patient. The aforementionedproblems associated with tape therefore are not present with the presentanchoring device 300.

In an alternative method, the healthcare provider can insert tubefitting 306 into the retainer 304 before connecting the catheter andfluid tube to the tube fitting 306. The shape of the retainer body 304allows the healthcare provider to rotate conventional screw-typeconnectors (e.g., lure-lock connectors) to engage the tube fitting 306with the retainer 304 securing the tube fitting 306 to the patient'sskin.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. For instance, theabove described channels need not completely receive the entire tubularsegment or body of the tube fitting or adaptor. The channel rather canbe formed as a relief, groove or opening which receives only a portionof the tubular segment. Thus, as used in the following claims, the term"channel" should be construed to include channels, grooves, openings,flutes, depressions, reliefs, and the like into which a portion of thetube fitting can lie. Accordingly, the scope of the invention isintended to be defined only by the claims which follow.

What I claim is:
 1. An anchoring device for securing a tube fitting to apatient, the tube fitting including at least first and second generallytubular segments interconnected by a transverse member, said anchoringsystem comprising a retainer which includes at least first and secondchannels, each channel being formed at least in part by two arcuatewalls at least one of which deflects to receive one of the generallytubular segments of the tube fitting within said channel and returns toa generally undeflected state to hold the tube fitting tubular segmentin said channel, and a transverse channel which intersects and extendsthrough one of said walls of each of said channels, said transversechannel being configured to receive the transverse member of the tubefitting with said first and second channels receiving the first andsecond generally tubular segments of the tube fitting.
 2. An anchoringdevice as in claim 1 additionally comprising a flexible anchor padhaving an adhesive bottom surface, which is adapted to attach to apatient's skin, and a top surface on which said retainer is mounted. 3.An anchoring device as in claim 2, wherein said anchor pad has a medialsegment and at least one pseudopod connected to said medial segment,said pseudopod including a an arm extending from said medial segment andhaving a proximal end connected to said medial segment and a distal endpositioned distally from said medial segment, said proximal end beingnarrower than said distal end.
 4. An anchoring device as in claim 1,wherein said first and second channels lie generally parallel to eachother with said transverse channel extending generally perpendicularlyto said first and second channels.
 5. An anchoring device as in claim 4,wherein said channels have equal lengths.
 6. An anchoring device as inclaim 1, wherein said first and second channels are configured to bemirror images of each other.
 7. An anchoring device as in claim 6,wherein said retainer has a generally symmetrical configuration.
 8. Ananchoring device as in claim 1, wherein the first generally tubularsegment forms a portion of a tubular port of the tube fitting and thesecond generally tubular segment forms a clip which has a cylindricalshape truncated along a longitudinal side, said first and secondchannels configured to receive either the tubular segment of the tubularport or the clip in a snap-fit manner.
 9. An anchoring device as inclaim 1, wherein said retainer has a curved bottom surface of a radiusof curvature generally approximating that of a dorsal surface of thepatient's hand.
 10. An anchoring device as in claim 1, wherein saidarcuate walls which form each of said channels comprise a medial walland a lateral wall, said lateral walls being deflectable and said medialwalls being positioned such that said transverse channel extends throughsaid medial walls.
 11. An anchoring device as in claim 10, whereinlateral wall has a greater height than said corresponding medial wall.12. An anchoring device as in claim 10, wherein the axes of said firstand second channels lie between a bottom surface of said retainer and anupper end of said corresponding medial wall.
 13. An anchoring device asin claim 10, wherein an arcuate surface of said lateral wall extendsthrough an arc of greater than 90° about an axis of said correspondingchannel.
 14. An anchoring device as in claim 13, wherein an upper end ofan arcuate surface of said medial wall lies below the level of an upperend of said arcuate surface of said lateral wall.
 15. An anchoringdevice as in claim 14, wherein said upper end of said arcuate surface ofsaid lateral wall lies below the level of an upper end of said medialwall.
 16. An anchoring device as in claim 15, wherein said lateral wallincludes a vertical segment which extends from said upper end of saidarcuate surface of the lateral wall to a point above the upper end ofthe medial wall.
 17. An anchoring device as in claim 15, wherein saidupper end of said arcuate surface of said medial wall lie generallywithin a plane defined by the axes of said first and second channels.18. An anchoring device as in claim 15, wherein said medial wallincludes a vertical segment which extends from said upper end of saidarcuate surface of said medial wall to a transition point, saidtransition point being below the level of said upper end of said arcuatesurface of said lateral wall.
 19. An anchoring device as in claim 18,wherein said medial wall includes an upper rounded end which extendsabove said transition point to said upper end of said medial wall. 20.An anchoring device as in claim 17, wherein a bottom surface of saidtransverse channel lies below the level of said plane defined by theaxes of said first and second channels.
 21. An anchoring device as inclaim 1, wherein surfaces of said first and second channels defined bysaid corresponding arcuate surfaces extend through an arc of greaterthan 200° about an axis of said respective channel.
 22. An anchoringdevice as in claim 1, wherein said retainer is configured to allowconnectors on the ends of the tube fitting to be rotated with thegenerally tubular segments of the tube fitting positioned within saidfirst and second channels of said retainer.
 23. An anchoring device asin claim 22, wherein said retainer includes a central portion betweensaid channels, said central portion having a greater width than thelength of said channels.
 24. An anchoring device as in claim 1, whereinsaid transverse channel has generally a trapezoidal cross-sectionalshape.
 25. An anchoring device as in claim 24, wherein said transversechannel has a bottom surface and an upper opening, said bottom surfacehaving a width greater than that of said opening.
 26. An anchoringdevice as in claim 25, wherein said transverse channel includes upperchamfered edges above said upper opening which converge toward saidupper opening.
 27. An anchoring device for securing a tube fitting to apatient, the tube fitting including at least first and second generallytubular segments interconnected by a transverse member, said anchoringsystem comprising a retainer which includes at least first and secondchannels, each channel being configured to receive at least a portion ofone of said generally tubular segments, and a transverse channel whichintersects and extends through a wall of each of said channels, saidtransverse channel being configured to receive the transverse member ofthe tube fitting in a snap-fit manner with said first and secondchannels receiving the first and second generally tubular segments ofthe tube fitting.
 28. An anchoring device as in claim 27, wherein saidtransverse channel has generally a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.29. An anchoring device as in claim 28, wherein said transverse channelhas a bottom surface and an upper opening, said bottom surface having awidth greater than that of said opening.
 30. An anchoring device as inclaim 29, wherein said transverse channel includes upper chamfered edgesabove said upper opening which converge toward said upper opening. 31.An anchoring device as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said firstand second channels is configured to receive one of the first and secondgenerally tubular segments of the tube fitting in a manner encompassingthe generally tubular segment through an arc of greater than about 180°.32. A method of anchoring medical tube fitting, which has at least firstand second generally tubular segments interconnected by a transversemember, said method comprising the steps of:providing a retainercomprising a transverse channel configured to receive said transversemember and two parallel channels each of which is configured to receiveone of said generally tubular members of the tube fitting in a snap-fitmanner; providing a flexible anchor pad attached to said retainer, saidanchor pad comprising an adhesive bottom surface which is adapted toattach to a patient's skin; adhering said anchor pad to a patient's skinproximate to an indwelling catheter, said catheter having a proximalend; connecting the proximal end of said catheter to the tube fitting;inserting the first generally tubular segment of the tube fitting intoone of said retainer parallel channels until the first tubular segmentseats within said channel; and inserting the second generally tubularsegment of the tube fitting into a second parallel channel of saidretainer until the second tubular segment seats within said channel,while simultaneously inserting said transverse member into saidtransverse channel until the transverse member snaps into saidtransverse channel.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein inserting thefirst tubular segment into said channel involves snapping said the firsttubular segment into said channel.
 34. The method of claim 32, whereininserting the second tubular segment into said channel involves snappingsaid second tubular segment into said channel.